Last week was NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week, a week dedicated to highlighting and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. Marking the 50th NAIDOC week, this year’s theme was ‘50 Years Deadly,’ reflecting on the work undertaken by First Nations peoples over the past 50 years to promote and protect Indigenous rights and culture. This theme recognises that such a significant milestone is not reached without the tireless work and dedication of activists, artists, communities and grassroots organisers.

While NAIDOC is a time to celebrate, it is also an apt reminder of what is left to do to achieve First Nations Justice. As housing advocates, we know that First Nations peoples are more likely to experience homelessness and housing insecurity, or to live in housing inadequate to their needs. For example, according to the 2021 Census, First Nations people accounted for 20% of people experiencing homelessness, despite making up only 3.8% of Australians. Similarly, in 2022-23, First Nations people made up 29% of all specialist homelessness service clients. Despite bipartisan commitments to ‘close the gap,’ the difference in living standards and outcomes for First Nations peoples remains significant compared to other Australians, and official targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap remain unmet. With the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum, First Nations justice has largely fallen off the political agenda and awaits a champion in Parliament.

It is this context that we at Shelter NSW encourage our supporters, members and allies to take a more active role in supporting First Nations people and their calls for justice. As we have written about previously, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council is leading a campaign against changes to the land rights legal framework. The NSW government is considering changes to the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW) which could undermine future and existing land claims, honoring leases and preventing native title claims on unused land. These changes would apply retrospectively and thus could impact existing native title claims.

Native title claims provide a critical opportunity for First Nations peoples to achieve a level of self-determination and concretely exercise connection to country. While Shelter NSW has no land rights expertise, it is concerning to us that these changes seem to have been introduced with no meaningful First Nations consultation or with the relevant peak body, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. It is vital that government engage with and listen meaningfully to First Nations stakeholders to ensure that statutory reviews work to strengthen – not undermine – native title and Aboriginal land rights.

So, in the name of NAIDOC week, celebrate and reflect upon the culture and achievements of the indigenous peoples of this country, and read up on the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026. The NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s explainer and campaign can be found here.